Baker's music is modern but lyrical and jazzy, in the vein of Barber and Copland.

David Baker is a native of Indianapolis and currently holds the position of Distinguished Professor of Music and Chairman of the Jazz Department at the Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington. A virtuosic performer on multiple instruments and top in his field in several disciplines, Mr. Baker has taught and performed throughout the United States and abroad. He is also the conductor and artistic director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. He studied with J.J. Johnson, Janos Starker, William Russo, Bernard Heiden and Gunther Schuller among others. Paul Freeman writes: "For many years it has been my pleasure to perform the music of the distinguished composer David N. Baker. I was first introduced to his creative talent during the mid-1970s when we included his music in the historic Black Composers Series released by Columbia. I have always been impressed by the breadth and scope of his talent and the extraordinary range of his tonal palette." The booklet notes about the music are by the composer.